Power deal with Greens the reason for rout, Labor's Julian Amos says

By
SEAN FORD

Power deal with Greens the reason for rout, Labor's Julian Amos says

Lara Giddings is one leadership contender for the Labor party in Tasmania after its electoral defeat. Another leadership candidate, Julian Amos, blamed the rout on Labor's power sharing deal with the Greens. Picture: Meg Windram.

Dr Amos yesterday rejected the idea there was an "it's time" factor, given Labor had governed since 1998.

"The power-sharing agreement was the focus for all the dissatisfaction and I think Labor has to recognise that and admit it," Dr Amos said.

"It is THE factor.

"Labor has reaped the whirlwind of the bike ride up Mount Wellington."

He was referring to a 2010 jaunt involving then Labor leader David Bartlett and Greens leader Nick McKim, which led up to the power- sharing deal.

Dr Amos said the Hare- Clark voting system allowed the changing of MPs without changing the party.

"I wouldn't say it was 16 years with the same faces, so, for all intents and purposes a rejuvenated group, but Labor lost the confidence of the public because of the power-sharing agreement and its task moving forward is to regain that confidence," he said.

"It has to restate its principled positions of fairness, equality, support for the underdog ... these are not issues that should be tradeable for immediate political gain."

Former minister Dr Amos is running second in a four- way race for Labor's second seat in Denison.

If elected, he will be among a group of leadership possibilities - depending on their intentions - including outgoing Premier Lara Giddings, Scott Bacon, Rebecca White and Braddon veteran Bryan Green.

Asked if he would seek the leadership if elected, Dr Amos said: "There's a lot of water to go under the bridge before I start playing around in that pond."